It's official, it is goin to be a digital Pen

[Sam N]

Take this with a grain of salt (like anything on dpreview forums) but translated specs have supposedly been posted:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=32141068

Highlights:
- 3 inch LCD (resolution not listed...)
- 12.3mp sensor
- 720p video
- in-body IS (at least it seems like that's what it's saying)
- very similar to E-620 / E-30 in terms of art filters, in-camera RAW development, etc.
- supports multiple aspect ratios (4:3, 3:2, 16:9, square), but I don't think it's an actual multi-aspect sensor like the GH1's. It's probably just cropping the top from 4:3.

No surprises really. It's unfortunate that the video codec is MotionJPEG, which will result in huge huge files.

Does the lens openings in other 4/3 cameras narrow down toward the sensor like that?

Yes, this is the same as the G1/GH1. It shouldn't be a problem with the vast majority of M/LTM lenses.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Wish they would show it in someones hand. Not going to be pocketable with that zoom, for sure. Hard to get a size reference, though.

 

[ishpop]

The white thing reminds me of the Oly Ecru.

http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/popup/zoom_ecru.cfm

hahahaha, never seen that before! Have you ever seen photos from it? Sounds like it just used the Epic's lens and out it in a funky new body.

 

[defoglesong]

That doesn't make any sense. They'd need to put an expensive and heavy zooming motor in every lens that most people wouldn't use. The lock switch on the lens is to prevent zoom creep. It's found on plenty of other zoom lenses. The same icons are found on the back of almost every DSLR, none of which have power-zooming. The grid on the left lets you zoom out or see a grid of 9 photos, the magnifying glass is to zoom in. It would say "T/W" (tele / wide) if it were a zoom control.

Pretty much every (non mini-P&S) camera comes in a black version now, so I'm pretty sure there'll be a black version of this one as well.

Heh... I said it was a GUESS. The whole point of threads like this is to speculate on what's coming. If I was actually holding the camera, I'd most likely be under NDA and couldn't comment on it!

New pics just went up here: http://www.numerimatch.com/photo-video/exclusif-premieres-photos-de-l0lympus-pen-e-p1/12652

Based on these new pics, I'd guess the "lock" is simply to lock the zoom for transport. Not a zoom lock to keep it at one focal length, not a AF lock, not a macro lock -- just a safety latch.

Look at how far out the lens is extended in img_1071 and it's only at the 18mm focal length. I bet when you "unlock" the lens, the inner barrel comes out, nearly doubling how much lens sticks out from the camera body. Kind of defeats the point of having such a small camera body.

 

[morgan]

Look at how far out the lens is extended in img_1071 and it's only at the 18mm focal length. I bet when you "unlock" the lens, the inner barrel comes out, nearly doubling how much lens sticks out from the camera body. Kind of defeats the point of having such a small camera body.

I know, that's a little bit of a downer. The zoom seems out of scale with the body. But we're asking a lot from them to make tiny zooms. Frankly, I'd prefer a cheap tri-elmar/wate type thing if they could make it smaller than the zoom.

 

[Avotius]

edit: oops, someone beat me to it

anyone else notice how long the zoom has become after only moving it 4mm from its widest setting???

Also here it looks as if there is a smallest size setting for transport which is probably what the zoom lock switch is for, then the expands itself like a point and shoot lens.

this looks interesting though, I wonder if they will do what panasonic did with the shutter or if they have made some sort of electronic shutter without the need for moving bits, thus totally silent

 

[kywong]

I also noticed that there's a big distance between the grey dot and the 14 marker, I wonder what does it do when it has the dot aligned with that line rather than focal length marks.

OHH I think I know now. At that grey dot (well to the left of the 14 mark), it would retract into 4cm in length. But if you want to use it, it would have to extend by, well... a lot. Similar in concept as digital compact lenses. And the lock is perhaps to lock in into a useable position?

Edit: Oh wait Avotius just said that exactly, got a bit excited after reading him say "notice how long it is at 18mm".

 

[Rick Waldroup]

The Olympus Ecru was a great camera and one hell of an attention getter at parties, especially with the ladies- they all wanted to hold it and look through it.

Unfortunately, I sold mine......what a dumbass......

 

[Avotius]

I think we all chimed in at the same time.

The fact that this lens is not uber compact does not bother me that much though, remember this is a entry level zoom lens and thus you cannot expect olympus to throw all their tricks into it. Looking forward to a more pro level zoom with a more useful 10 or 12mm setting and a bigger aperture. This entry level zoom does show however that Olympus is thinking outside of the box and that's a welcome sign.

 

[aizan]

Wish they would show it in someones hand. Not going to be pocketable with that zoom, for sure. Hard to get a size reference, though.

the micro 4/3 mount is the same diameter as the leica m mount.

 

[BillBingham2]

Fingers crossed they will realize that there is a market for lots of different primes. While I know it's small next to Nikkor glass, it's still much bigger than I want to carry for a 14 or even for a 42.

Come out with good 8/5.6, 15/2.5, 42/2 and 150/2.8 and I am so there. They really need to have about 10 primes and they'd have a lot of folks beating a path to their door. Got to be great ones though, no room for so so lenses with this size format. One thing Kodak learned years ago, the small the format the better you lenses need to be.

For now I'm happy with my GRD/GX100 combo. But this is a wonderful system to lust after.

Wonder what time they will make the announcement?

B2 (;->

 

[Avotius]

Wonder what time they will make the announcement?

B2 (;->

Word is Olympus will make the official announcement in the afternoon, as it is now afternoon here and in Japan so it could be any moment now.

 

[sevres_babylone]

Hands on preview here:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/e_p1-review

Thanks to 4/3 Rumors for the link: http://43rumors.com/

And another at DPReview: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0906/09061601olympusep1.asp

 

[Phil_Hawkes]

It is here

It is here

http://asia.olympus-imaging.com/products/dslr/ep1/

 

[gavinlg]

Oh god.... It's seriously beautiful....
Looks like a perfect size too.... from the release pics with the 60s style girls it looks to be decently bigger and more ergonomic then the LX3 and the dp1 etc...
But still small.

What they've done with that 14-42mm lens is very very clever - the lock is to keep it compact, and when you want to use it, it extends. I love it, and don't mind the extending part at all. Love they released pics of it with an OM lens as well - they know exactly who is interested in this....

Can't wait now to get my hands on one. Hoping from here they bring on the primes.

 

[Micky D]

Cool, the TV commercial in black and white.

http://asia.olympus-imaging.com/products/dslr/ep1/cm/

 

[gavinlg]

Awesome commercial - it isn't tiny after all - I'm thinking the size is seriously perfect.

 

[historicist]

~ what was that, a shampoo commercial? Camera looks great tho ~

 

[gavinlg]

And Hooray, IT'S MADE OF METAL!!!!

 

[gavinlg]

from the dpreview preview:

"There's no doubting this is a handsome little beast, and the choice of materials, sleek, simple lines and lack of unnecessary ornamentation give it the same 'real camera' appeal that makes otherwise rational photographers lust after the similarly timeless Leica M8. The E-P1 is one of the most attractive digital cameras we've ever seen, and we can imagine there will be a lot of people looking to justify buying one even if they have little or no real need for one. The 'pride of ownership' factor is going to be very strong with this one.

The E-P1 has been designed first and foremost for size, which itself dictates to a certain extent the physical design; we're told that - using current technology - this is as small as the camera could be, and though it's considerably more bulky than compacts like the Panasonic LX3, the body itself is far smaller than any SLR, and is dwarfed by the Olympus E-450 (the smallest SLR on the market).

The desire for the smallest possible body does mean some compromises; there's no viewfinder or built-in flash (both are available as optional extras) and there's little in the way of a grip, but Olympus has done an excellent job on the overall handling. There are fewer external controls than you'd find on an equivalent SLR (and don't forget this camera has all the functionality of a 'semi pro' model like the E-30), but the buttons are large enough to use, there's two command dials (both on the back) and the level of customization is such that it's easy to get the E-P1 working exactly how you want it. It's really, really hard to find fault with the design, even if, like me, you wish there was a viewfinder and a flash..."



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